The NCAA found no wrongdoing in the Lance Thomas jewelry case. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

The NCAA has finished its inquiry into a 2009 jewelry purchase totaling nearly $100,000 by former Duke basketball player Lance Thomas and found no wrongdoing. There will be no disciplinary action against the school.

“The NCAA has found no evidence of a rules violation in this situation based on the information available, and both the NCAA and Duke consider the matter closed,” said a university statement released by associate athletic director Jon Jackson.

Nolan Smith is back at Duke, working and looking for his next professional opportunity. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

RALEIGH—Nolan Smith was at ease in the Ravenscroft gym, smiling and posing for pictures at last week’s ACC Barnstorming event.

He did not look like a man with an uncertain future.

Smith, who led Duke to a national championship and graduated as the ACC Player in the Year in 2011, is an unrestricted free agent after two seasons with the Portland Trailblazers. By the beginning of the season, the team had decided against picking up the extension on his rookie contract.

After he wasn't selected in the NFL draft, Conner Vernon signed with the Oakland Raiders. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

Shortly after the NFL draft ended, former Duke WR Conner Vernon agreed to go to the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent

Vernon is the all-time ACC leader in catches (283), receiving yardage (3,749) and consecutive games with at least one catch (48). He caught a Duke single-season record 85 catches for 1,074 yards and eight touchdowns as the Blue Devils made their first bowl game since 1994.

Vernon doesn’t post combine numbers that jump off the charts. But he has a knack for catching passes and making plays. That’s an ability both Peyton and Eli Manning noted earlier this month, as they have worked with him during their offseason visits over the years.

"The last couple of years I’ve worked out with Conner a little bit, thrown routes with him, played 7-on-7 with him a few years ago, and he kept getting open," Eli said. "I noticed that I keep going his way. He’s my first read on some things, and he’s winning on some post routes and go routes.”

“What an unbelievable career he’s had here,” Peyton added. “I’m pulling real hard for him. I think he’d be a good addition to an NFL roster.”

Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe has been adamant throughout the year that Vernon has what it takes to play in the NFL.

“Whoever gets Conner Vernon is going to get an outstanding football player,” Cutcliffe said earlier this week, “And a guy that's going to contribute to their team.”

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Sean Renfree is the first draft pick from Duke in the David Cutcliffe era. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

As the hours wore on Saturday, it looked increasingly less likely that Duke would break its NFL draft drought.

But late in the seventh round, with the 249th overall pick, the Atlanta Falcons selected Blue Devils quarterback Sean Renfree. He is the first draft pick directly out of Duke since 2004.

If the Blue Devils want to make the ACC Tournament for the first time since 2009, they need to take advantage of their opportunity this weekend.

There are three teams—Miami, Virginia Tech and Duke—vying for the last two spots in the eight-team tournament. Of the three, the Blue Devils (24-20, 8-12 in the ACC) have the toughest remaining schedule, facing two teams that will definitely be headed to postseason play in Virginia and N.C. State.

This weekend, though, Duke hosts Maryland Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park (all three contests have 1 p.m. starts). The Terrapins are 6-15 in conference play.

Duke picked up its first commitment for the class of 2014 Wednesday, when 6-foot-4 shooting guard Grayson Allen chose the Blue Devils. According to ESPN, Allen is a 4-star player who ranks 36th in his class.

Basketball season is still months away, but Duke learned a little bit about its ACC schedule Tuesday. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

The 2013-14 ACC basketball schedule began to trickle out on Twitter today, and, in a few hours, a full list of Duke's home and away opponents emerged. Here they are, in no particular order, as dates have yet to be released:

2013-14 Duke basketball ACC home games:

The official 2012-13 highlight video for Duke basketball

Easter Sunday marked the official end of the Duke basketball season, but the team gathered together one more time last weekend to celebrate the year that was. Here are the awards that were given out at the annual banquet:

Marshall Plumlee never could get healthy this year for Duke. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

The post season surgery schedule for Duke moves on, this time to Marshall Plumlee. The redshirt freshman is scheduled to have surgery on his left foot, a Duke spokesman confirmed. A tweet from Mason Plumlee indicate that the surgery is happening today.

Mike Krzyzewski called the ACC's Grant of Rights agreement announcement "one of the great days in the history of our conference." Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

The ACC announced a Grant of Rights agreement with all 15 current and future members of the league Monday (that does include Notre Dame). In layman's terms, the TV revenue of each school will belong to the league until 2027, essentially guaranteeing all schools will stay in the conference (no one would leave that money, which will be around $20 million, behind). Here are statements on behalf of a few notable Duke administrators and coaches, as released by the school:

“I am thrilled with today’s announcement by the Atlantic Coast Conference. It is one of the great days in the history of our conference as it shows the highest level of commitment – not by words, but by actions. With all the uncertainty regarding conference affiliations the past several years in college athletics, this announcement, coupled with our media rights deal with the world’s best sports broadcasting network, secures the ACC’s future, and thus Duke’s, for years to come. As a long-time coach in this league, I understand how terrific the ACC has been. With continued commitment by current members and the addition of several outstanding institutions, the ACC should be in position to reestablish itself as the nation’s top conference in the years to come.” – head men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski